Hundreds of DC homecare workers, elected officials and community supporters rallied today at Freedom Plaza, demanding that DC homecare employers obey the law and pay unpaid wages, seven sick days a year and the city’s living wage of $13.60.
There are thousands of homecare workers in DC and Maryland who have not been paid for weeks of work and have not received coverage by DC’s Living Wage Law and laws governing sick time. Because many homecare agencies were cut off from Medicaid funding during the district’s fraud investigation earlier this year, homecare workers have faced severe difficulties, such as the loss of their home or family disruption.
“More than 5000 homecare workers have faced severe economic hardship – not for anything they have done – but for the non-payment of legally earned wages and the actions—and inaction—of their employers and the city,” said John Reid, executive vice president of the Maryland-DC region of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents homecare workers in the city. “This rally addresses the broader underlying issue of the accountability of elected officials to regular working people.”
In addition to Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, the homecare workers were joined by two at-large candidates for the DC Council, the Rev. Graylan Hagler and Elissa Silverman. DC homecare workers are joining other workers in the nationwide Fight for $15 movement for higher pay, better rights on the job, and an economy that works for everyone. As the home care industry continues to grow, workers are demanding a living wage so they can provide for their families while helping millions of Americans remain in their own homes with a good quality of life.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in Maryland and the nation. We represent 400,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida, with nearly 10,000 members in Maryland and D.C. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
WeCareForDC.org | Facebook | Twitter:@WeCareForDC * #HomeCare 15
There are thousands of homecare workers in DC and Maryland who have not been paid for weeks of work and have not received coverage by DC’s Living Wage Law and laws governing sick time. Because many homecare agencies were cut off from Medicaid funding during the district’s fraud investigation earlier this year, homecare workers have faced severe difficulties, such as the loss of their home or family disruption.
“More than 5000 homecare workers have faced severe economic hardship – not for anything they have done – but for the non-payment of legally earned wages and the actions—and inaction—of their employers and the city,” said John Reid, executive vice president of the Maryland-DC region of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents homecare workers in the city. “This rally addresses the broader underlying issue of the accountability of elected officials to regular working people.”
In addition to Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, the homecare workers were joined by two at-large candidates for the DC Council, the Rev. Graylan Hagler and Elissa Silverman. DC homecare workers are joining other workers in the nationwide Fight for $15 movement for higher pay, better rights on the job, and an economy that works for everyone. As the home care industry continues to grow, workers are demanding a living wage so they can provide for their families while helping millions of Americans remain in their own homes with a good quality of life.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in Maryland and the nation. We represent 400,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida, with nearly 10,000 members in Maryland and D.C. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
WeCareForDC.org | Facebook | Twitter:@WeCareForDC * #HomeCare 15
